US9334480B2

US9334480B2 - Compounds for improved stem cell differentiation into hepatocytes

Info

Publication number: US9334480B2
Application number: US14/205,893
Authority: US
Inventors: Eric Chiao; Matthew Michael Hamilton; Sei Kameoka; Brian Leonard; Miriam Triyatni
Original assignee: Hoffmann La Roche Inc
Current assignee: F Hoffmann La Roche AG
Priority date: 2013-03-15
Filing date: 2014-03-12
Publication date: 2016-05-10
Also published as: US9181218B2; KR101767802B1; MX346497B; WO2014140058A1; KR20150119342A; HK1217199A1; CA2900690A1; RU2015140469A; CN105051023A; CN105051023B; BR112015023185A2; MX2015011505A; JP2016511276A; RU2662954C2; JP6129360B2; US20150197726A1; EP2970178A1; EP2970178B1; US20150158840A1

Abstract

The invention relates to the compounds of formula I and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters thereof, wherein R¹-R¹¹are as defined in the description and claims. In addition, the present invention relates to methods of manufacturing and using the compounds of formula I as well as pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds. The compounds of formula I are useful in differentiating stem cells into more mature or adult-like hepatocytes for use as drug screening platforms and in disease modeling applications.

Description

The present invention relates to compounds, their manufacture, and pharmaceutical compositions containing them for differentiating stem cells into more adult-like hepatocytes.

During drug discovery and development there is a tremendous need for robust in vitro methods for modeling liver function. Current methods employing primary human hepatocyte cultures have well-documented shortcomings, namely donor to donor variability and functional instability. Similarly, hepatoma cell lines exhibit functional insufficiency and suffer from confounding genetic abnormalities inherent in tumor cell lines.

Although pluripotent stem cell derived tissues hold promise to address the problem of donor to donor variability, thus far most reports examining human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived hepatocytes indicate that they are more similar in certain functions to fetal tissues than adult, which could make their extrapolation to the adult in vivo situation difficult. Thus, there is a need for better methods of differentiating pluripotent stem cells into more mature or adult-like hepatocytes to generate more relevant models for drug discovery, efficacy, and safety testing.

Successful differentiation of hIPSC into adult-like hepatocytes will facilitate drug discovery efforts for treatment of chronic liver diseases such as hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Chronic HBV (CHB) infection is a huge unmet medical need affecting ˜350 million people worldwide. Current treatments—nucleos(t)ide inhibitors and interferon (IFN)—are ineffective to clear the virus and are associated with viral resistance and/or adverse side effects. Based on the sequence variability of its viral genome, HBV is classified within 7 genotypes (genotype A-H; A-D being the major genotypes). The disease outcome of HBV infection are age- and genotype-dependent. Thus, most CHB infection results from vertical (mother-to-infant) transmission and/or infection during childhood. In contrast, ˜90% of adults exposed to the virus were able to clear HBV infection within 6 months. In addition, various clinical data have shown that viral genotypes influence HBV disease progression and response to IFN treatment. HBV is also known to evade host immune responses by various mechanisms including down-regulation of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs). A better understanding of the complex interplay between HBV and host innate immunity may lead to new host/viral targets for treatment of CHB infection. However, efforts to discover novel, more efficacious antivirals for HBV have been hampered by the lack of physiological and robust in vitro systems. Current hepatoma-based systems, used both as producer- and target-cells, are neither robust nor capture the genotype diversity of HBV. Thus, new in vitro systems that are more physiologically relevant and support robust infection of all major HBV genotypes, preferably from clinical isolates, will be highly desirable. Such systems will not only be beneficial as drug screening platforms, but also for HBV disease modeling including assessment of genotype-dependent of interferon response.

Thus, there is a need for improved differentiation of stem cell-derived hepatocytes into more mature hepatocytes to support robust infection of patient-derived HBV from various genotypes for use as drug screening platforms and disease modeling.

The invention is concerned with the compounds of formula I:

and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters thereof, wherein R¹-R¹¹are as defined hereinafter. In addition, the present invention relates to methods of manufacturing and using the compounds of formula I as well as pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds. The compounds of formula I are useful in differentiating stem cells into more mature or adult-like hepatocytes for use as drug screening platforms and in disease modeling platforms.

FIG. 1 provides a heat map showing the global increased expression of genes spanning hepatocyte function at multiple doses using the compound of example 1. Biology heat maps are typically used in molecular biology to represent the level of expression of many genes across a number of comparable samples (e.g. cells in different states, samples from different patients) as they are obtained from cDNA samples. ‘Green’ indicates low expression whereas ‘Red’ indicates high expression in FIG. 1. The graphical representation is relative across each row of data creating a gradient from lowest expression (green) to median (black) to highest expression (red).

FIG. 2 shows the increased expression of genes spanning hepatocyte function in induced pluripotent stem cell derived hepatocytes based on gene expression of a panel of maturation-associated genes after treatment with the compounds of examples 1-7.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show a robust HBV infection in iCell hepatocytes. FIG. 3 is a bar graph showing that treatment of induced pluripotent stem cell derived hepatocytes with the compound of example 1 led to cell susceptibility to HBV infection that occurred in a dose-dependent manner. FIG. 4 is a bar graph showing that viral infection is inhibited by interferon (100 IU/ml).

FIGS. 4, 5, 6 and 7 show the pan-genotypic HBV infection in iCell hepatocytes and are a series of bar graphs reflecting that induced pluripotent stem cell derived hepatocytes treated with the compound of example 1 are able to support robust infection of all four major HBV genotypes. Continuous presence of the compound of example 1 is required to maintain robust viral infection. Cells either were pre-treated with the compound of example 1 for 6 d before HBV infection (6 d), or pre-treated for 6 days and during infection (throughout). Interferon (IFN) is used to show the specificity of HBV infection.

FIG. 8 is a bar graph showing that induced pluripotent stem cell derived hepatocytes treated with the compound of example 1 support infection of HBV isolated from patient sera (clinical isolates), and not from cell culture-derived virus (HepG2.2.15). iCell hepatocytes treated with the compound of example 1 support infection of patient-derived, but not cell culture-derived, HBV.

FIGS. 9, 10, 11 and 12 relate to HBV infectivity: serum vs. purified virus and are a series of bar graphs showing that removal of excess of HBsAg subviral particles (SVPs) present in serum is a prerequisite to achieve robust HBV infection in induced pluripotent stem cell derived hepatocytes treated with the compound of example 1. Cells were pre-treated with the compound of example 1 for 6 d before HBV infection (6 d).

FIGS. 13 and 14 relate to the purification of HBV virus particles from excess HBsAg subviral particles (SVPs) and show that purified virus (Dane particles) were separated from HBsAg SVPs by Optiprep gradient ultracentrifugation. Viral markers (HBsAg and HBV DNA) and electron microscopy analysis were used to confirm that virus purification was successful.

FIG. 15-I is a microarray analysis (heat map-light photo) and FIG. 15-11 (dark photo) of induced pluripotent stem cell derived hepatocytes treated with the compound of example 1. Genes that were up- and down-regulated >2-fold (2 hr), >3-fold (24 hr), or >6-fold (7 day) post treatment are shown. The compound of example 1 down-regulated interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) as early as 2 hr. Two genes (non-ISGs) that may also play roles in iCell hepatocyte susceptibility to HBV infection are shown: CREB3L1 (down-regulated as early as 2 hr post treatment) is shown to inhibit proliferation of infected cells by other viruses (HCV, WNV, and DNA viruses), and SLC10A1 (up-regulated at 7 day post-treatment) has been reported as an HBV receptor.

FIGS. 16-I and 16-II relate to the effect of the compound of example 1 on interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) and provides pie charts (FIG. 17) showing the kinetic effect of the compound of example 1 on ISGs expression in induced pluripotent stem cell derived hepatocytes. A list of 975 interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) are based on known ISGs in the public data database (see Table 1). 16-I and 16-II continue with each other.

FIGS. 18A-D relate to the effect of compound of example 1 on ISG expression (975 genes) and provides pie charts showing examples of ISGs modulated by the compound of example 1 at 24 hr and 7 day post compound treatment. The list of 975 interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) are based on known ISGs in the public data database (see Table 1).

Table 1 shows the kinetic effect of the compound of example 1 on ISGs at 2 hr, 24 hr, and 7 day post treatment (p-value <0.05).

TABLE 1

2 HOUR	24 HOUR

	Raw			Raw
	Est	Un-		Est	Un-
	Fold	adjusted		Fold	adjusted
Gene_Symbol	Change	p-value	Gene_Symbol	Change	p-value

BUB1	−20.72	0.0012	STEAP4	−65.16	0.0000
RHOH	−14.71	0.0068	BUB1	−33.18	0.0010
CD80	−13.65	0.0032	SPTLC2	−10.08	0.0160
SOCS3	−9.95	0.0002	CD38	−10.02	0.0120
JUNB	−6.01	0.0009	SOCS1	−9.88	0.0002
JAK1	−5.55	0.0044	THBD	−9.02	0.0349
HLA-C	−4.87	0.0002	NFE2	−8.28	0.0164
ABCA9	−4.37	0.0101	FFAR2	−7.50	0.0024
SOCS1	−4.13	0.0086	C4orf32	−7.20	0.0003
C10orf10	−3.72	0.0119	IFI16	−6.86	0.0024
MPO	−3.18	0.0426	AXL	−6.82	0.0051
EPAS1	−2.61	0.0016	MT1X	−6.73	0.0031
KAL1	−2.61	0.0382	ICAM1	−6.60	0.0072
ETV7	−2.54	0.0380	EMP1	−5.94	0.0498
PCP4	−2.44	0.0402	GALNT2	−5.18	0.0036
TXNIP	−2.04	0.0210	CASP4	−5.09	0.0012
PHF11	−1.80	0.0134	KIAA0040	−5.04	0.0004
FGF2	−1.76	0.0094	JUNB	−4.94	0.0005
AKT3	−1.76	0.0495	RBL1	−4.92	0.0473
EFNB2	−1.63	0.0194	IL6	−4.57	0.0448
BCL3	−1.44	0.0449	TMEM67	−4.34	0.0358
CEBPD	−1.29	0.0413	IL8	−4.32	0.0043
GTPBP2	−1.29	0.0099	ETV7	−3.88	0.0149
PIM3	−1.19	0.0328	IRF7	−3.86	0.0161
ISGF3G	−1.17	0.0152	MAP3K8	−3.81	0.0009
EHHADH	−1.16	0.0431	HEG1	−3.64	0.0194
PCMT1	−1.10	0.0407	MYT1	−3.59	0.0432
PI4K2B	−1.08	0.0291	SOCS3	−3.51	0.0069
CSNK1D	1.10	0.0309	MT1M	−3.35	0.0130
KPNB1	1.14	0.0136	PLSCR1	−3.34	0.0013
PXK	1.17	0.0366	AMPH	−3.29	0.0047
DRAP1	1.17	0.0269	CREB3L3	−3.22	0.0206
GOLGA3	1.45	0.0117	BCL3	−3.11	0.0022
SCARB2	1.50	0.0460	IFITM1	−3.11	0.0438
PHF15	1.74	0.0284	GBP4	−3.07	0.0095
ASNS	1.80	0.0131	ATF3	−3.06	0.0017
AES	2.07	0.0496	CASP5	−3.00	0.0268
DDIT4	2.67	0.0061	EGR1	−2.86	0.0009
ADAM19	2.77	0.0284	EPAS1	−2.84	0.0010
MAX	3.74	0.0081	NPAS2	−2.77	0.0069
CD300LF	5.42	0.0379	C10orf10	−2.71	0.0047
			CYP1B1	−2.71	0.0070
			IER3	−2.60	0.0003
			CEBPD	−2.58	0.0022
			PIM3	−2.56	0.0014
			GK	−2.50	0.0089
			IFNGR1	−2.46	0.0016
			PNRC1	−2.42	0.0051
			CSDA	−2.38	0.0154
			TEAD4	−2.33	0.0021
			RAB27A	−2.33	0.0001
			MTHFD2L	−2.20	0.0231
			LRP4	−2.17	0.0255
			STAT1	−2.14	0.0142
			HLA-DPB1	−2.11	0.0189
			LRG1	−2.10	0.0426
			HLA-DPA1	−2.10	0.0476
			MAFF	−2.09	0.0007
			TMEM49	−2.07	0.0189
			MSR1	−2.06	0.0383
			IGHM	−2.00	0.0224
			SQLE	−1.98	0.0067
			USP12	−1.96	0.0259
			ITGA2	−1.94	0.0317
			IFITM2	−1.90	0.0037
			FKBP1B	−1.90	0.0464
			FUT4	−1.89	0.0458
			HK2	−1.88	0.0001
			B4GALT5	−1.87	0.0040
			SERPINB9	−1.86	0.0057
			PSMB9	−1.86	0.0115
			PDGFRL	−1.86	0.0367
			PCTK2	−1.85	0.0318
			ZNF295	−1.84	0.0001
			GBP2	−1.83	0.0027
			CCND3	−1.81	0.0045
			ADM	−1.81	0.0034
			IMPA2	−1.80	0.0047
			MLKL	−1.78	0.0219
			FLT1	−1.75	0.0454
			ETS2	−1.73	0.0077
			ARHGDIB	−1.72	0.0228
			BST2	−1.70	0.0187
			ISG20	−1.70	0.0013
			IQGAP1	−1.70	0.0260
			FNDC3B	−1.67	0.0005
			SFTPC	−1.66	0.0118
			CYBA	−1.64	0.0030
			C1S	−1.62	0.0023
			TAP1	−1.60	0.0330
			FNDC4	−1.59	0.0020
			SLC15A2	−1.58	0.0023
			SAT	−1.57	0.0047
			IFI27	−1.56	0.0314
			DDX17	−1.56	0.0039
			TAP2	−1.54	0.0062
			FAM125B	−1.54	0.0143
			SLC25A28	−1.54	0.0079
			CD47	−1.52	0.0133
			FUBP1	−1.50	0.0293
			PPP1R3D	−1.49	0.0041
			PDK1	−1.48	0.0461
			NUB1	−1.47	0.0435
			HIF1A	−1.47	0.0019
			EFNB2	−1.46	0.0052
			SQRDL	−1.45	0.0377
			THBS1	−1.44	0.0100
			ABHD5	−1.43	0.0363
			UBE2S	−1.40	0.0442
			N4BP1	−1.40	0.0219
			SFPQ	−1.39	0.0284
			FKBP5	−1.39	0.0035
			TFPI	−1.38	0.0032
			NFKBIA	−1.38	0.0066
			RBMS1	−1.38	0.0010
			ISGF3G	−1.37	0.0466
			ETV6	−1.37	0.0216
			TXNIP	−1.37	0.0419
			IFITM3	−1.36	0.0154
			TMEM2	−1.35	0.0179
			ARHGEF3	−1.32	0.0088
			TCF7L2	−1.29	0.0063
			JAK2	−1.29	0.0208
			CTSL	−1.28	0.0165
			CLCN6	−1.26	0.0351
			BLZF1	−1.26	0.0017
			IL6ST	−1.25	0.0094
			GTPBP1	−1.24	0.0002
			ALCAM	−1.24	0.0257
			GOLGA3	−1.24	0.0019
			PPIC	−1.23	0.0273
			USP25	−1.22	0.0497
			PLOD2	−1.22	0.0161
			CHST12	−1.21	0.0233
			PSCD1	−1.21	0.0004
			KDELR2	−1.19	0.0006
			SMAD3	−1.19	0.0344
			JAK1	−1.17	0.0411
			ZNF24	−1.16	0.0411
			BTG1	−1.16	0.0471
			MCL1	−1.16	0.0127
			MTMR1	−1.14	0.0117
			KPNB1	−1.12	0.0098
			YWHAE	−1.11	0.0421
			PCMT1	−1.10	0.0351
			RANBP1	1.13	0.0297
			GLUL	1.13	0.0013
			MYD88	1.15	0.0364
			CHD6	1.16	0.0032
			GCH1	1.17	0.0189
			VAT1	1.21	0.0142
			PDGFA	1.23	0.0495
			PTEN	1.23	0.0253
			BAG1	1.26	0.0044
			IRF3	1.26	0.0349
			PSMA2	1.27	0.0148
			IL28RA	1.28	0.0266
			GTF2F1	1.28	0.0237
			PEX26	1.29	0.0370
			DRAP1	1.29	0.0011
			ZFYVE26	1.31	0.0096
			LIFR	1.33	0.0279
			RBCK1	1.34	0.0199
			DNAPTP6	1.34	0.0304
			SSBP3	1.35	0.0121
			TNFSF13B	1.36	0.0200
			TRIM14	1.36	0.0030
			TBX3	1.42	0.0070
			GNAI1	1.43	0.0488
			PCGF2	1.44	0.0148
			RXRA	1.46	0.0187
			SLC25A30	1.53	0.0499
			TRIM26	1.56	0.0014
			PCTK3	1.59	0.0160
			CXCL10	1.71	0.0140
			EHHADH	1.80	0.0196
			IFIT3	1.88	0.0439
			SDC2	1.96	0.0313
			CRYM	2.03	0.0313
			MAFB	2.60	0.0157
			PADI2	2.66	0.0045
			CX3CL1	2.73	0.0317
			LEPR	2.89	0.0058
			FBXO6	3.00	0.0042
			AKAP12	3.33	0.0291
			IFIT1	3.58	0.0062
			C4orf33	3.95	0.0173
			SOAT2	4.03	0.0043
			G6PC	4.22	0.0001
			RHOH	5.26	0.0270
			BHMT	5.84	0.0082

DAY 7

	Raw Est	Unadjusted
Gene_Symbol	Fold Change	p−value

STEAP4	−1275.83	0.0037
CRP	−63.77	0.0011
CD38	−60.43	0.0007
CASP4	−43.41	0.0077
SOCS1	−42.96	0.0011
EREG	−21.64	0.0383
AMPH	−21.01	0.0152
SOCS3	−17.74	0.0017
IFITM1	−15.75	0.0016
CD300LF	−15.50	0.0020
TIMP1	−11.92	0.0017
CASP5	−11.12	0.0299
IFI16	−11.00	0.0002
IER3	−9.69	0.0042
IL8	−9.22	0.0105
PHLDA1	−9.08	0.0062
ICAM1	−9.02	0.0003
JUNB	−8.16	0.0001
CYR61	−7.93	0.0147
EFNB2	−7.87	0.0002
TXNIP	−7.72	0.0042
MYC	−7.27	0.0002
CEBPD	−6.95	0.0000
THBD	−6.70	0.0048
C10orf10	−6.70	0.0078
CYP1B1	−6.56	0.0033
TEAD4	−6.47	0.0013
GALNT2	−6.32	0.0059
MAP3K8	−6.22	0.0006
NFE2	−5.79	0.0110
CSDA	−5.60	0.0046
ID1	−5.53	0.0022
ITGA2	−5.40	0.0038
AKT3	−5.29	0.0145
MTHFD2L	−5.12	0.0053
RAB27A	−5.10	0.0009
EGR1	−4.88	0.0050
HIF1A	−4.78	0.0027
IFITM2	−4.71	0.0010
CREB3L3	−4.65	0.0011
GBP2	−4.50	0.0048
NPAS2	−4.43	0.0028
KIF5C	−4.32	0.0252
CCND3	−4.18	0.0317
ULK4	−4.12	0.0349
HEG1	−4.07	0.0126
STAT1	−4.03	0.0004
CTGF	−3.88	0.0200
MYT1	−3.88	0.0037
ADM	−3.85	0.0014
IFNGR1	−3.76	0.0001
CD3D	−3.72	0.0338
C4BPA	−3.52	0.0129
AKR1B1	−3.52	0.0468
RBMS1	−3.48	0.0157
IRF7	−3.42	0.0007
ETV7	−3.42	0.0091
ARHGDIB	−3.40	0.0073
NLRC5	−3.27	0.0271
HK2	−3.18	0.0001
PDGFRL	−3.16	0.0005
BCL3	−3.15	0.0049
TMEM2	−3.07	0.0017
CFB	−2.96	0.0419
LTBP2	−2.94	0.0244
HPSE	−2.92	0.0055
LRP4	−2.80	0.0161
ARHGEF3	−2.76	0.0073
PHF11	−2.75	0.0010
BLVRA	−2.70	0.0040
IKZF2	−2.69	0.0036
TNFSF14	−2.68	0.0089
HBE1	−2.67	0.0354
PIM3	−2.64	0.0002
C1R	−2.64	0.0321
SPSB1	−2.63	0.0444
IQGAP1	−2.60	0.0069
PLSCR1	−2.59	0.0087
IL1RN	−2.59	0.0490
PML	−2.58	0.0290
PLAUR	−2.56	0.0069
CD47	−2.51	0.0031
B4GALT5	−2.50	0.0019
FER1L3	−2.43	0.0270
HLA-DMA	−2.39	0.0064
GK	−2.38	0.0221
NEXN	−2.35	0.0251
PPIC	−2.26	0.0023
ATP10D	−2.21	0.0020
ETS2	−2.17	0.0003
AHR	−2.08	0.0469
ABHD5	−2.05	0.0003
EWSR1	−2.03	0.0011
FNDC3B	−2.02	0.0010
TAP2	−2.02	0.0010
C1S	−2.00	0.0143
TMEM49	−1.98	0.0047
UBE2S	−1.95	0.0129
MAX	−1.95	0.0013
SLFN12	−1.92	0.0054
CAPN2	−1.90	0.0461
STK39	−1.88	0.0183
FAM102A	−1.88	0.0192
ETV6	−1.87	0.0008
SERPINB9	−1.86	0.0373
IRF8	−1.86	0.0014
EPAS1	−1.83	0.0015
IL6ST	−1.83	0.0003
TFPI	−1.80	0.0062
B2M	−1.77	0.0444
KIAA0040	−1.76	0.0171
IFITM3	−1.73	0.0047
ATP1B3	−1.72	0.0096
TAP1	−1.72	0.0376
LYN	−1.71	0.0031
SSR1	−1.71	0.0054
MAFK	−1.70	0.0155
PHF15	−1.69	0.0002
RECQL	−1.66	0.0266
IMPA2	−1.62	0.0124
NFIL3	−1.60	0.0293
CHST12	−1.59	0.0001
SFPQ	−1.57	0.0026
ZC3HAV1	−1.57	0.0354
TCF7L2	−1.57	0.0205
SLC15A2	−1.52	0.0082
SAA1	−1.51	0.0118
WARS	−1.50	0.0343
SPTLC2	−1.49	0.0401
HERC6	−1.49	0.0074
IL1R2	−1.48	0.0443
SLC25A28	−1.47	0.0437
CD164	−1.47	0.0227
ALCAM	−1.46	0.0057
PCMT1	−1.45	0.0495
RIPK2	−1.45	0.0285
PTEN	−1.44	0.0119
PUS1	−1.41	0.0014
TOR1B	−1.39	0.0059
PON2	−1.39	0.0034
GNB1	−1.39	0.0211
FLT1	−1.38	0.0483
GRN	−1.37	0.0031
HDAC2	−1.34	0.0170
KPNB1	−1.34	0.0001
MCL1	−1.33	0.0009
GLB1	−1.33	0.0347
RAN	−1.29	0.0126
PXK	−1.23	0.0286
FGG	−1.22	0.0437
MTMR1	−1.20	0.0011
TARBP1	−1.18	0.0376
ZNF24	−1.16	0.0322
EIF2AK2	−1.14	0.0109
MYD88	1.19	0.0373
SF3A1	1.26	0.0281
TFDP2	1.26	0.0253
RXRA	1.28	0.0065
OPTN	1.28	0.0249
INPP5B	1.29	0.0440
C6orf85	1.31	0.0357
ZNF313	1.31	0.0011
XRCC6BP1	1.33	0.0068
BAG1	1.33	0.0124
PARP14	1.33	0.0439
NMI	1.34	0.0171
APOL6	1.36	0.0037
IRF1	1.36	0.0103
PEX26	1.38	0.0419
IL17RB	1.38	0.0313
JAK2	1.39	0.0180
CASP1	1.40	0.0364
PI4K2B	1.41	0.0128
SHMT2	1.44	0.0008
ZNF276	1.44	0.0257
BRF2	1.46	0.0432
IFIH1	1.47	0.0203
SSBP3	1.49	0.0092
CPT1A	1.49	0.0121
COL16A1	1.53	0.0188
ALDH1A1	1.54	0.0115
IL28RA	1.55	0.0243
MYOM2	1.59	0.0015
ASNS	1.63	0.0019
SCARB2	1.64	0.0454
UBE1L	1.65	0.0253
C4orf33	1.65	0.0090
SDC2	1.66	0.0134
TRIM14	1.68	0.0146
CREM	1.71	0.0115
TPM1	1.77	0.0064
SLC7A5	1.78	0.0089
ACSL1	1.78	0.0242
EIF2S2	1.81	0.0059
GCH1	1.83	0.0034
USP25	1.84	0.0201
TRIB3	1.84	0.0317
ITGA6	1.89	0.0133
SLC20A1	1.90	0.0164
PSMB10	1.91	0.0055
GPR171	1.93	0.0497
SRGAP2	1.95	0.0118
ISOC1	1.96	0.0400
NGFB	1.97	0.0265
CCL19	2.16	0.0359
PCTK3	2.27	0.0242
GBP3	2.28	0.0015
DHFR	2.31	0.0055
SAMD9L	2.42	0.0019
AGXT	2.54	0.0066
F3	2.54	0.0090
CLEC2D	2.54	0.0085
MT1F	2.56	0.0347
FCGR1A	2.56	0.0338
EMP1	2.60	0.0241
DNAPTP6	2.61	0.0167
SLC30A1	2.66	0.0129
IFIT3	2.91	0.0014
CKB	2.95	0.0079
HESX1	3.01	0.0169
RPL22	3.02	0.0043
CXCL11	3.15	0.0489
WAS	3.44	0.0054
GLUL	3.54	0.0002
CRYM	3.57	0.0035
HAO1	3.59	0.0350
FBXO6	3.59	0.0003
HLA-DOA	3.70	0.0240
IGHM	3.80	0.0153
SELL	3.83	0.0060
FAM70A	4.10	0.0037
PADI2	4.13	0.0004
CLEC4E	4.33	0.0139
CD163	4.54	0.0465
CD9	4.66	0.0392
PON1	5.18	0.0007
PLAC8	5.43	0.0070
RSAD2	5.52	0.0001
AXL	5.52	0.0299
SELP	5.95	0.0437
G6PC	6.12	0.0086
MAFB	6.31	0.0007
EHHADH	6.99	0.0047
TFEC	7.83	0.0320
PCK2	8.00	0.0043
CX3CR1	9.27	0.0030
SLC10A1	10.61	0.0012
SOAT2	11.97	0.0016
MSR1	16.00	0.0299
IFIT1	16.72	0.0004
UPP2	16.78	0.0093
BHMT	100.46	0.0000

Unless otherwise indicated, the following specific terms and phrases used in the description and claims are defined as follows:

The term “moiety” refers to an atom or group of chemically bonded atoms that is attached to another atom or molecule by one or more chemical bonds thereby forming part of a molecule. For example, the variables R¹-R¹¹of formula I refer to moieties that are attached to the core structure of formula I by a covalent bond.

In reference to a particular moiety with one or more hydrogen atoms, the term “substituted” refers to the fact that at least one of the hydrogen atoms of that moiety is replaced by another substituent or moiety.

The term “optionally substituted” refers to the fact that one or more hydrogen atoms of a moiety (with one or more hydrogen atoms) can be, but does not necessarily have to be, substituted with another substituent.

The term “halogen” refers to a moiety of fluoro, chloro, bromo or iodo.

Unless otherwise indicated, the term “hydrogen” or “hydro” refers to the moiety of a hydrogen atom (—H) and not H₂.

The term in iCell hepatocytes refers to induced pluripotent stem cell derived hepatocytes from Cellular Dynamics International (CDI).

Unless otherwise indicated, the term “a compound of the formula” or “a compound of formula” or “compounds of the formula” or “compounds of formula” refers to any compound selected from the genus of compounds as defined by the formula (including any pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester of any such compound).

The term “pharmaceutically acceptable salts” refers to those salts which retain the biological effectiveness and properties of the free bases or free acids, which are not biologically or otherwise undesirable. Salts may be formed with inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid and the like, preferably hydrochloric acid, and organic acids such as acetic acid, propionic acid, glycolic acid, pyruvic acid, oxalic acid, maleic acid, malonic acid, salicylic acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, benzoic acid, cinnamic acid, mandelic acid, methanesulfonic acid, ethanesulfonic acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, N-acetylcystein and the like. In addition, salts may be prepared by the addition of an inorganic base or an organic base to the free acid. Salts derived from an inorganic base include, but are not limited to, the sodium, potassium, lithium, ammonium, calcium, and magnesium salts and the like. Salts derived from organic bases include, but are not limited to salts of primary, secondary, and tertiary amines, substituted amines including naturally occurring substituted amines, cyclic amines and basic ion exchange resins, such as isopropylamine, trimethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine, tripropylamine, ethanolamine, lysine, arginine, N-ethylpiperidine, piperidine, polyamine resins and the like.

The compounds of the present invention can be present in the form of pharmaceutically acceptable salts. The compounds of the present invention can also be present in the form of pharmaceutically acceptable esters (i.e., the methyl and ethyl esters of the acids of formula I). The compounds of the present invention can also be solvated, i.e. hydrated. The solvation can be effected in the course of the manufacturing process or can take place i.e. as a consequence of hygroscopic properties of an initially anhydrous compound of formula I (hydration).

Compounds that have the same molecular formula but differ in the nature or sequence of bonding of their atoms or the arrangement of their atoms in space are termed “isomers.” Isomers that differ in the arrangement of their atoms in space are termed “stereoisomers.” Diastereomers are stereoisomers with opposite configuration at one or more chiral centers which are not enantiomers. Stereoisomers bearing one or more asymmetric centers that are non-superimposable mirror images of each other are termed “enantiomers.” When a compound has an asymmetric center, for example, if a carbon atom is bonded to four different groups, a pair of enantiomers is possible. An enantiomer can be characterized by the absolute configuration of its asymmetric center or centers and is described by the R- and S-sequencing rules of Cahn, Ingold and Prelog, or by the manner in which the molecule rotates the plane of polarized light and designated as dextrorotatory or levorotatory (i.e., as (+) or (−)-isomers respectively). A chiral compound can exist as either individual enantiomer or as a mixture thereof. A mixture containing equal proportions of the enantiomers is called a “racemic mixture”.

The term “a therapeutically effective amount” of a compound means an amount of compound that is effective to prevent, alleviate or ameliorate symptoms of disease or prolong the survival of the subject being treated. Determination of a therapeutically effective amount is within the skill in the art. The therapeutically effective amount or dosage of a compound according to this invention can vary within wide limits and may be determined in a manner known in the art. Such dosage will be adjusted to the individual requirements in each particular case including the specific compound(s) being administered, the route of administration, the condition being treated, as well as the patient being treated. In general, in the case of oral or parenteral administration to adult humans weighing approximately 70 Kg, a daily dosage of about 0.1 mg to about 5,000 mg, 1 mg to about 1,000 mg, or 1 mg to 100 mg may be appropriate, although the lower and upper limits may be exceeded when indicated. The daily dosage can be administered as a single dose or in divided doses, or for parenteral administration, it may be given as continuous infusion.

The term “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” is intended to include any and all material compatible with pharmaceutical administration including solvents, dispersion media, coatings, antibacterial and antifungal agents, isotonic and absorption delaying agents, and other materials and compounds compatible with pharmaceutical administration. Except insofar as any conventional media or agent is incompatible with the active compound, use thereof in the compositions of the invention is contemplated. Supplementary active compounds can also be incorporated into the compositions.

In detail, the present invention relates to the compounds of formula I:

and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters thereof, wherein R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹, and R¹⁰are independently hydrogen or halogen; and R¹¹is hydrogen or hydroxy. Unless indicated otherwise, the compounds within the genus of formula I encompass all possible stereoisomers (i.e., (R)-enantiomers, (S)-enantiomers) as well as racemic and scalemic mixtures thereof.

In one embodiment, R¹, R², R³, R⁴, and R⁵are all hydrogen. In another embodiment, at least one of R¹, R², R³, R⁴, or R⁵is halogen. In another embodiment, at least one of R¹, R², R³, R⁴, or R⁵is fluoro. In another embodiment, R¹, R³, and R⁵are all hydrogen and one of R²or R⁴is fluoro and the other is hydrogen.

In another particular embodiment, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹, and R¹⁰are all hydrogen. In another embodiment, at least one of R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹, and R¹⁰is halogen. In another embodiment, at least one of R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹, and R¹⁰is chloro. In another embodiment, R⁶, R⁸, and R¹⁰are all hydrogen and one of R⁷or R⁹is chloro and the other is hydrogen.

In one embodiment, R¹¹is hydrogen. In a more specific embodiment one of R¹, R², R³, R⁴, or R⁵is halogen (preferably fluoro) and the others hydrogen; and R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹, R¹⁰, and R¹¹are hydrogen.

In another embodiment, R¹¹is hydroxy. In a more specific embodiment one of R¹, R², R³, R⁴, or R⁵is halogen (preferably fluoro) and the others hydrogen; R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹, and R¹⁰are hydrogen, and R¹¹is hydroxy.

In one embodiment, the present invention relates to the compounds of formula IA:

and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters thereof, wherein R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹, and R¹⁰are independently hydrogen or halogen; and R¹¹is hydroxy.

In another embodiment, the present invention relates to the compounds of formula IB:

In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a compound of the formula:

In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a compound of the formula:

The starting materials and reagents used in preparing these compounds generally are either available from commercial suppliers, such as Aldrich Chemical Co., or are prepared by methods known to those skilled in the art. The following synthetic reaction schemes are merely illustrative of some methods by which the compounds of the present invention can be synthesized, and various modifications to these synthetic reaction schemes can be made and will be suggested to one skilled in the art. Further exemplification can be found in the specific examples.

The compounds of the present invention can be prepared by any conventional means. Suitable processes for synthesizing these compounds are provided in the examples. Generally, compounds of formula I can be prepared according to the schemes illustrated below.

Starting with the methyl diaminobenzoate 2, which can be commercially available or prepared from the reduction of the nitro compound 1 with hydrogen and paladium on carbon, can be condensed with the pyridine aldehyde 3 and subsequently oxidized in situ with iodine to produce the benzoimidazole 4. The 2-methoxy-3-iodo-pyridine moiety of the benzoimidazole can be converted to the 3-chloro-pyrmidone 5 with 4 M hydrochloric acid in dioxane and heating to 100° C. for several hours. The aryl chloride of compound 5 can be displaced with 2-phenyl-ethylamines through nucleophilic aromatic substitutions with a base like triethylamine or N-methylmorpholine in a polar solvent like acetonitrile or N,N-dimethylformamide and heat for several hours. The resulting compound can be de-esterified using standard methods like lithium hydroxide in tetrahydrofuran and water and mild heat to yield the benzoimidazole carboxyl acid 6. The final compounds like 7 can be prepared by condensation of the acid 6 and with benzyl amines through standard amide coupling conditions like N,N-diisopropyl-ethylamine, and O-(7-azabenzotriazol-1-yl)-N,N,N′,N-tetramethyluronium hexafluorophosphate in a polar solvent like dimethylformamide (DMF).

EXAMPLES

Although certain exemplary embodiments are depicted and described herein, the compounds of the present invention can be prepared using appropriate starting materials according to the methods described generally herein and/or by methods available to one of ordinary skill in the art.

Example 1 Synthesis of 2-[4-((S)-2-hydroxy-2-phenyl-ethylamino)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-pyridin-3-yl]-3H-benzoimidazole-4-carboxylic acid 3-fluoro-benzylamide 2-(4-Iodo-2-methoxy-pyridin-3-yl)-3H-benzoimidazole-4-carboxylic acid Methyl ester

In a 250 mL round-bottomed flask, methyl 2,3-diaminobenzoate (1.5 g, 9.03 mmol) was combined with methanol (25 mL) to give a yellow solution that was stirred under nitrogen and cooled in a water/dry ice bath. To this was added drop wise 4-iodo-2-methoxynicotinaldehyde (2.37 g, 9.03 mmol) dissolved in methanol (15 mL) and DMF (10 mL). During the addition more methanol (25.0 mL) was added to the reaction. The reaction was kept in the water/dry ice bath for 2.5 hr, allowed to warm to room temperature over 3 hr, and then cooled in a water/dry ice bath. To this was added drop wise iodine (1.49 g, 5.87 mmol) dissolved in methanol (15 mL) and then the reaction was allowed to warm to room temperature overnight. The reaction was concentrated, diluted with ethyl acetate (200 mL) and saturated Na₂S₂O₃(200 mL) and mixed. Significant insoluble material was present and the mixture was filtered. The resulting solid was washed with ethyl acetate and water. The filtrate was separated and the resulting aqueous layer was extracted with ethyl acetate (100 mL) and DCM (3×150 mL). The organic layers were washed with saturated Na₂S₂O₃and brine, combined, dried over MgSO4, and concentrated as a red oil/solid. The insoluble solid from the original extract was washed with DCM (5×100 mL) and the filtrate was concentrated as a dark red/black solid. The liquid extracted crude and the solid extract crude were dissolved in minimal DCM, combined, and purified by flash chromatography (silica gel, 120 g, 0% to 60% ethyl acetate in hexanes) to give 2-(4-iodo-2-methoxy-pyridin-3-yl)-3-H-benzoimidazole-4-carboxylic acid methyl ester, as a purple solid, 0.73 g LC/MS calcd for C₁₅H₁₂IN₃O₃(m/e) 409.0, obsd 410.0 (M+H); ¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ: 12.68 (s, 1H), 8.05 (d, J=5.5 Hz, 1H), 8.01 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.88-7.95 (m, 1H), 7.67 (d, J=5.3 Hz, 1H), 7.38 (t, J=7.9 Hz, 1H), 3.96 (s, 3H), 3.82 (s, 3H). The original insoluble solid remaining after being extracted with DCM was subsequently extracted with boiling methanol (5×20 ml). The methanol filtrate was concentrated and dried, yielding additional product (83% pure by LCMS), as the sodium salt (assumed) and as a dark purple solid, 0.57 g. The remaining original insoluble solid after the DCM and methanol extractions yielded additional product (90% pure by LCMS), as the sodium salt (assumed) and as a purple solid, 0.88 g. The combined yield was 59%.

2-(4-Chloro-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-pyridin-3-yl)-3H-benzoimidazole-4-carboxylic acid methyl ester

Two reactions were initially done in parallel and were combined prior to heating. (In a 200 mL round-bottomed flask 2-(4-iodo-2-methoxy-pyridin-3-yl)-3H-benzoimidazole-4-carboxylic acid methyl ester (solid isolated from liquid extraction) (0.88 g, 2.15 mmol) was combined with 1,4-dioxane (3 mL) to give a black suspension, 4 M HCl in 1,4-dioxane (14.5 mL, 58.1 mmol) was added portion wise, and mixture was stirred at room temperature, 17 hr. In a 200 mL round-bottomed flask, methyl 2-(4-iodo-2-methoxy-pyridin-3-yl)-3H-benzoimidazole-4-carboxylic acid methyl ester (isolated from flash chromatography) (0.73 g, 1.78 mmol) was combined with 1,4-dioxane (2 mL) to give a black suspension, 4 M HCl in 1,4-dioxane (12 mL, 48.2 mmol) was added, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature, 17 hr.) The separate reactions were combined with addition of 1,4-dioxane (for rinsing) and 4 M HCl in 1,4-dioxane (20 mL). The reaction was heated in an oil bath at 100° C. for 3 hr and then allowed to cool to room temperature. The reaction was filtered, and the solid was washed with 1,4-dioxane, water, 1,4-dioxane, hexanes, and dried over house vacuum yielding 2-(4-chloro-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-pyridin-3-yl)-3H-benzoimidazole-4-carboxylic acid methyl ester (0.91 g, 76.2% yield) as a black solid. LC/MS calcd for C₁₄H₁₀ClN₃O₃(m/e) 303.0, obsd 304.1 (M+H); ¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ: 8.05-8.16 (m, 2H), 8.01 (d, J=7.3 Hz, 1H), 7.66-7.76 (m, 1H), 7.50 (t, J=7.9 Hz, 1H), 3.92-4.04 (m, 3H).

2-[4-((S)-2-Hydroxy-2-phenyl-ethylamino)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-pyridin-3-yl]-3H-benzoimidazole-4-carboxylic acid methyl ester

In a 40 mL vial, 2-(4-chloro-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-pyridin-3-yl)-3H-benzoimidazole-4-carboxylic acid methyl ester (0.91 g, 3.00 mmol), (S)-2-amino-1-phenylethanol (822 mg, 5.99 mmol) and N-methylmorpholine (909 mg, 988 μL, 8.99 mmol) were combined with DMF (20 mL) to give a black suspension. The vial was sealed and heated in a dry block at 85° C. for 6.5 hr and allowed to cool to room temperature over the weekend. The reaction was diluted with water and the resulting precipitate was washed with water and hexanes yielding 2-[4-((S)-2-hydroxy-2-phenyl-ethylamino)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-pyridin-3-yl]-3H-benzoimidazole-4-carboxylic acid methyl ester (0.87 g, 71.8% yield) as a light purple solid. LC/MS calcd for C₂₂H₂₀N₄O₄(m/e) 404.0, obsd 405.2 (M+H); ¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ: 13.53 (s, 1H), 11.26 (d, J=5.8 Hz, 1H), 10.85 (t, J=5.1 Hz, 1H), 7.85 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.76-7.82 (m, 1H), 7.55 (d, J=7.3 Hz, 2H), 7.34-7.42 (m, 3H), 7.26-7.34 (m, 2H), 6.22 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 5.80 (d, J=4.5 Hz, 1H), 4.85-5.00 (m, 1H), 3.98 (s, 3H), 3.64-3.77 (m, 1H), 3.53-3.63 (m, 1H).

2-[4-((S)-2-Hydroxy-2-phenyl-ethylamino)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-pyridin-3-yl]-3H-benzoimidazole-4-carboxylic acid

In a 200 mL round-bottomed flask, 2-[4-((S)-2-hydroxy-2-phenyl-ethylamino)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-pyridin-3-yl]-3H-benzoimidazole-4-carboxylic acid methyl ester (0.87 g, 2.15 mmol) and LiOH (258 mg, 10.8 mmol) were combined with THF (20 mL1) and Water (5 mL) to give a purple suspension. The reaction was stirred at room temperature overnight. The next day the reaction was heated in dry block at 50° C. for 3.5 hr and cooled to room temperature. The reaction was dilute with water, concentrated, dilute with more water, and acidify with 1M HCl, and filtered. The resulting solid was washed with water and hexanes, and dried over house vacuum yielding 2-[4-((S)-2-hydroxy-2-phenyl-ethylamino)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-pyridin-3-yl]-3H-benzoimidazole-4-carboxylic acid (0.86 g, 102% yield) as a purple solid. LC/MS calcd for C₂₁H₁₈N₄O₄(m/e) 390.0, obsd 391.2 (M+H); ¹H NMR; (DMSO-d₆) δ: 13.35 (s, 1H), 11.19 (d, J=6.0 Hz, 1H), 10.97 (t, J=4.9 Hz, 1H), 7.75 (dd, J=7.7, 3.9 Hz, 2H), 7.56 (d, J=7.3 Hz, 2H), 7.22-7.44 (m, 5H), 6.20 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 5.80 (br. s., 1H), 4.92 (t, J=5.5 Hz, 1H), 3.54-3.74 (m, 3H).

2-[4-((S)-2-Hydroxy-2-phenyl-ethylamino)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-pyridin-3-yl]-3H-benzoimidazole-4-carboxylic acid 3-fluoro-benzylamide

In a 100 mL round-bottomed flask, 2-[4-((S)-2-hydroxy-2-phenyl-ethylamino)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-pyridin-3-yl]-3H-benzoimidazole-4-carboxylic acid (0.84 g, 2.15 mmol), 3-fluoro-benzylamine (296 mg, 270 μL, 2.37 mmol) and DIEA (612 mg, 827 μL, 4.73 mmol) were combined with DMF (10 mL) to give a black solution and to this was added HATU (982 mg, 2.58 mmol). The reaction was stirred at room temperature overnight. The next day, the reaction was dripped into water and the resulting precipitate was filtered and washed with water, ethyl ether, and hexanes. The purple solid was incompletely dissolved in minimal boiling ethanol and the resulting solid that formed upon cooling was filtered and washed with ethanol and hexanes yielding 2-[4-((S)-2-hydroxy-2-phenyl-ethylamino)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-pyridin-3-yl]-3H-benzoimidazole-4-carboxylic acid 3-fluoro-benzylamide as a light purple solid. LC/MS calcd for C₂₈H₂₄FN₅O₃(m/e) 497.0, obsd 497.9 (M+H); ¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆-TFA) δ: 11.25 (br. s., 1H), 10.77 (br. s., 1H), 9.32 (t, J=5.8 Hz, 1H), 7.71-7.97 (m, 2H), 7.14-7.63 (m, 10H), 7.03-7.13 (m, 1H), 6.21 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 4.84 (br. s., 1H), 4.68 (br. s., 2H), 3.65 (d, J=12.5 Hz, 1H), 3.46 (d, J=7.0 Hz, 1H).

Example 2 Synthesis of 2-[4-((S)-2-Hydroxy-2-phenyl-ethylamino)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-pyridin-3-yl]-3H-benzoimidazole-4-carboxylic acid benzylamide

2-[4-((S)-2-Hydroxy-2-phenyl-ethylamino)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-pyridin-3-yl]-3H-benzoimidazole-4-carboxylic acid benzylamide was synthesized from 2-[4-((S)-2-hydroxy-2-phenyl-ethylamino)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-pyridin-3-yl]-3H-benzoimidazole-4-carboxylic acid, benzylamine, DIEA, HATU and DMF using a similar procedure as 2-[4-((S)-2-hydroxy-2-phenyl-ethylamino)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-pyridin-3-yl]-3H-benzoimidazole-4-carboxylic acid 3-fluoro-benzylamide yielding 2-[4-((S)-2-hydroxy-2-phenyl-ethylamino)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-pyridin-3-yl]-3H-benzoimidazole-4-carboxylic acid benzylamide. LC/MS calcd for C₂₈H₂₅N₅O₃(m/e) 479.0, obsd 480 (M+H). ¹H NMR (tautomers 1:2; DMSO-d₆) δ: 13.38-13.52 (m, 1H), 11.14-11.38 (m, 1H), 10.33-11.02 (m, 1H), 9.18-9.43 (m, 1H), 7.69-7.99 (m, 2H), 7.15-7.61 (m, 12H), 6.12-6.30 (m, 1H), 5.74-5.99 (m, 1H), 4.52-4.96 (m, 3H), 3.49-3.30 (m, 2H).

Example 3 Synthesis of 2-[4-((S)-2-Hydroxy-2-phenyl-ethylamino)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-pyridin-3-yl]-3H-benzoimidazole-4-carboxylic acid 4-fluoro-benzylamide

2-[4-((S)-2-Hydroxy-2-phenyl-ethylamino)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-pyridin-3-yl]-3H-benzoimidazole-4-carboxylic acid4-fluoro-benzylamide was synthesized from 2-[4-((S)-2-hydroxy-2-phenyl-ethylamino)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-pyridin-3-yl]-3H-benzoimidazole-4-carboxylic acid, benzylamine, DIEA, HATU and DMF using a similar procedure as 2-[4-((S)-2-hydroxy-2-phenyl-ethylamino)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-pyridin-3-yl]-3H-benzoimidazole-4-carboxylic acid 3-fluoro-benzylamide yielding 2-[4-((S)-2-hydroxy-2-phenyl-ethylamino)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-pyridin-3-yl]-3H-benzoimidazole-4-carboxylic acid 4-fluoro-benzylamide. LC/MS calcd for C₂₈H₂₄FN₅O₃(m/e) 497.0, obsd 498 (M+H). ¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ: 13.35-13.53 (m, 1H), 11.13-11.38 (m, 1H), 10.35-11.03 (m, 1H), 9.19-9.42 (m, 1H), 7.68-7.97 (m, 2H), 7.24-7.58 (m, 9H), 7.08-7.22 (m, 2H), 6.13-6.30 (m, 1H), 5.74-6.02 (m, 1H), 4.49-4.98 (m, 3H), 3.49-3.29 (m, 2H).

Example 4 Synthesis of 2-{4-[2-(3-Chloro-phenyl)-ethylamino]-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-pyridin-3-yl}-3H-benzoimidazole-4-carboxylic acid Benzylamide

2-{4-[2-(3-Chloro-phenyl)-ethylamino]-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-pyridin-3-yl}-3H-benzoimidazole-4-carboxylic acid methyl ester was synthesized from 2-(4-chloro-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-pyridin-3-yl)-3H-benzoimidazole-4-carboxylic acid methyl ester, 2-(3-Chloro-phenyl)-ethylamine, triethylamine, and ACN using a similar procedure as 2-[4-((S)-2-hydroxy-2-phenyl-ethylamino)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-pyridin-3-yl]-3H-benzoimidazole-4-carboxylic acid methyl ester yielding 2-{4-[2-(3-chloro-phenyl)-ethylamino]-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-pyridin-3-yl}-3H-benzoimidazole-4-carboxylic acid methyl ester.

2-{4-[2-(3-Chloro-phenyl)-ethylamino]-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-pyridin-3-yl}-3H-benzoimidazole-4-carboxylic acid was synthesized from 2-{4-[2-(3-chloro-phenyl)-ethylamino]-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-pyridin-3-yl}-3H-benzoimidazole-4-carboxylic acid methyl ester, LiOH, THF, and water using a similar procedure as 2-[4-((S)-2-hydroxy-2-phenyl-ethylamino)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-pyridin-3-yl]-3H-benzoimidazole-4-carboxylic acid yielding 2-{4-[2-(3-chloro-phenyl)-ethylamino]-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-pyridin-3-yl}-3H-benzoimidazole-4-carboxylic acid.

2-{4-[2-(3-chloro-phenyl)-ethylamino]-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-pyridin-3-yl}-3H-benzoimidazole-4-carboxylic acid benzylamide was synthesized from 2-{4-[2-(3-chloro-phenyl)-ethylamino]-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-pyridin-3-yl}-3H-benzoimidazole-4-carboxylic acid, benzylamine, DIEA, HATU and DMF using a similar procedure as 2-[4-((S)-2-hydroxy-2-phenyl-ethylamino)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-pyridin-3-yl]-3H-benzoimidazole-4-carboxylic acid 3-fluoro-benzylamide yielding 2-{4-[2-(3-chloro-phenyl)-ethylamino]-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-pyridin-3-yl}-3H-benzoimidazole-4-carboxylic acid benzylamide. LC/MS calcd for C₂₈H₂₄ClN₅O₂(m/e) 497.0, obsd 498 (M+H).

Example 5 2-{4-[2-(3-Chloro-phenyl)-ethylamino]-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-pyridin-3-yl}-3H-benzoimidazole-4-carboxylic acid 4-fluoro-benzylamide

2-{4-[2-(3-chloro-phenyl)-ethylamino]-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-pyridin-3-yl}-3H-benzoimidazole-4-carboxylic acid 4-fluoro-benzylamide was synthesized from 2-{4-[2-(3-chloro-phenyl)-ethylamino]-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-pyridin-3-yl}-3H-benzoimidazole-4-carboxylic acid, benzylamine, DIEA, HATU and DMF using a similar procedure as 2-[4-((S)-2-hydroxy-2-phenyl-ethylamino)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-pyridin-3-yl]-3H-benzoimidazole-4-carboxylic acid 3-fluoro-benzylamide yielding 2-{4-[2-(3-chloro-phenyl)-ethylamino]-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-pyridin-3-yl}-3H-benzoimidazole-4-carboxylic acid 4-fluoro-benzylamide. LC/MS calcd for C₂₈H₂₃ClFN₅O₂(m/e) 515.0, obsd 516 (M+H). ¹H NMR (tautomers, DMSO-d₆) δ: 13.30-13.51 (m, 1H), 11.11-11.49 (m, 1H), 9.98-10.95 (m, 1H), 9.06-9.36 (m, 1H), 7.68-8.00 (m, 2H), 6.93-7.65 (m, 11H), 6.22 (d, J=7.3 Hz, 1H), 4.47-4.74 (m, 2H), 3.59-3.85 (m, 2H), 3.05 (t, J=6.9 Hz, 2H).

Example 6 Synthesis of 2-{4-[2-(3-Chloro-phenyl)-ethylamino]-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-pyridin-3-yl}-3H-benzoimidazole-4-carboxylic acid 3-fluoro-benzylamide

2-{4-[2-(3-chloro-phenyl)-ethylamino]-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-pyridin-3-yl}-3H-benzoimidazole-4-carboxylic acid 3-fluoro-benzylamide was synthesized from 2-{4-[2-(3-chloro-phenyl)-ethylamino]-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-pyridin-3-yl}-3H-benzoimidazole-4-carboxylic acid, benzylamine, DIEA, HATU and DMF using a similar procedure as 2-[4-((S)-2-hydroxy-2-phenyl-ethylamino)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-pyridin-3-yl]-3H-benzoimidazole-4-carboxylic acid 3-fluoro-benzylamide yielding 2-{4-[2-(3-chloro-phenyl)-ethylamino]-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-pyridin-3-yl}-3H-benzoimidazole-3-carboxylic acid 4-fluoro-benzylamide. LC/MS calcd for C₂₈H₂₃ClFN₅O₂(m/e) 515.0, obsd 516 (M+H). ¹H NMR (tautomers, DMSO-d₆) δ: 13.42 (s, 1H), 11.15-11.46 (m, 1H), 10.00-10.91 (m, 1H), 9.08-9.41 (m, 1H), 7.69-8.00 (m, 2H), 6.98-7.59 (m, 11H), 6.22 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 4.49-4.78 (m, 2H), 3.63-3.82 (m, 2H), 3.05 (t, J=6.8 Hz, 2H).

Example 7 Synthesis of 2-{4-[2-(3-Chloro-phenyl)-ethylamino]-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-pyridin-3-yl}-3H-benzoimidazole-4-carboxylic acid 2-fluoro-benzylamide

2-{4-[2-(3-chloro-phenyl)-ethylamino]-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-pyridin-3-yl}-3H-benzoimidazole-4-carboxylic acid 2-fluoro-benzylamide was synthesized from 2-{4-[2-(3-chloro-phenyl)-ethylamino]-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-pyridin-3-yl}-3H-benzoimidazole-4-carboxylic acid, benzylamine, DIEA, HATU and DMF using a similar procedure as 2-[4-((S)-2-hydroxy-2-phenyl-ethylamino)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-pyridin-3-yl]-3H-benzoimidazole-4-carboxylic acid 3-fluoro-benzylamide yielding 2-{4-[2-(3-chloro-phenyl)-ethylamino]-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-pyridin-3-yl}-3H-benzoimidazole-4-carboxylic acid 2-fluoro-benzylamide. LC/MS calcd for C₂₈H₂₃ClFN₅O₂(m/e) 515.0, obsd 516 (M+H). ¹H NMR (tautomers, DMSO-d₆) δ: 13.33-13.49 (m, 1H), 11.14-11.45 (m, 1H), 10.05-10.92 (m, 1H), 9.08-9.32 (m, 1H), 7.70-7.98 (m, 2H), 7.02-7.61 (m, 11H), 6.16-6.32 (m, 1H), 4.53-4.80 (m, 2H), 3.43-3.84 (m, 2H), 2.75-3.12 (m, 2H).

The compounds of formula I possess valuable properties. It has been found that said compounds are useful in differentiating stem cells into more mature or adult-like hepatocytes for more accurate pharmaceutical testing and research. The activity of the present compounds in differentiating stem cells into more mature or adult-like hepatocytes is demonstrated by the following assays. In addition, the effect of the compounds of the present invention on host genes that led to cell susceptibility to HBV are also described.

In Vitro Testing with Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Human iPSC-derived hepatocytes (iCell® Hepatocytes) were exposed to the compounds of formula I with the goal of identifying conditions that favor greater functionality that better models the adult organ. High-throughput, microfluidic quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to examine the expression of 32 genes that span a spectrum of hepatocyte functions that were either low or exhibited an immature phenotype in hiPSC-derived hepatocytes when compared to adult primary human hepatocytes. During the primary screen, multiple compounds were identified that resulted in a significant increase in a number of maturation-associated genes. Gene expression changes were validated and confirmed in a secondary screen, and functional consequences were queried.

Cells and Culture Conditions

Fresh iCell® Hepatocytes (day 20-23) were plated and cultured according to iCell Hepatocytes Dissociation and Plating User's Guide at 60 k cells per well in 96 well BIO Collagen IV coated plates (BD Cat#354429) 4 Hours post plating Medium C was removed and replaced with a 1:50 Matrigel (Cat#354227) overlay in Medium D. We dosed the cells at 5 uM in Medium D and 1% DMSO 24 hours post plating. Day 3, media was removed and we dosed again at 5 uM. Day 4 we Harvested RNA.

Gene Expression Profiling

Sample RNA was isolated using TaqMan® Gene Expression Cells-to-CT™ Kit (Life Technologies Cat#4387299) froze at −80 C at various time points post compound treatment. All samples were processed by microfluidic quantitative PCR using the Biomark Fluidigm 96.96 chips (BMK-M-96.96) and ABI Taqman probes. Normalization and model-based expression measurements were calculated using the Biogazelle qBASE and Genorm software. All sample data are the average of triplicates and normalized to 5 housekeeping genes for a relative gene expression value. Expression values are calculated by the fold change over vehicle control. See FIGS. 1 and 2.

Top compound hits were chosen based on a compound's ability to alter the gene expression in a manner predicted to increase cellular maturity, for instance an increase of adult specific markers or a decrease in fetal specific markers. For the secondary confirmation screen compound hits were chosen for a dose response on a broader panel of genes. We discovered that the compound of Example 1 caused the global increase of genes spanning hepatocyte function at multiple doses. (FIG. 1). Exposure to the compound of example 1 and five other structural analogs (Examples 2-7) results in the similar phenotypic change in iCell Hepatocytes based on gene expression of a panel of maturation-associated genes. (FIG. 2). The results in using the compound of Example 1 exhibited reproducible gene expression changes on 5+ independent batches of iCell Hepatocytes and is being further studied with the goal of identifying the mechanisms of action and functional consequences. Upon treatment with the compound of Example 1, iCell Hepatocytes are able to be infected in multiple genotypes of HBV and generate robust numbers of infected hepatocytes based on IHC and ELISA.

Microarray Analysis

iCell Hepatocytes treated with the compound of example 1 results in the up and down-regulation of a host of genes; including a kinetic effect on interferon-stimulated gene (ISGs) expression. See FIGS. 15-I and 15-II, 16-I and 16-II and 18A-D and Table 1.

Purification of HBV from Serum

Two hundred microliters of HBV-containing serum was applied onto a 10-50% Optiprep gradient in SW41 tubes. Samples were centrifuged at 100,000×g for 2 hr at 4 C. Five hundred microliters fractions were collected from the top; each fraction was analyzed for HBsAg (ELISA) and HBV DNA (TaqMan PCR). Fractions containing virus were stored at −80 C. See FIGS. 13 and 14.

Infection of iCell Hepatocytes with HBV

Fresh iCell® Hepatocytes (day 20-23) were plated and cultured according to iCell Hepatocytes Dissociation and Plating User's Guide at 60 k cells per well in 96 well BIO Collagen IV coated plates (BD Cat#354429) 4 Hours post plating Medium C was removed and replaced with a 1:50 Matrigel (Cat#354227) overlay in Medium D. Twenty four hours post plating, cells were treated with 1 uM of the compound of example 1 in Medium D containing 1% DMSO. Media containing fresh compound was replenished 2 days later. At day 4 post plating, cells were infected with HBV at MOI (multiplicity of infection) of 10. Briefly, purified virus was diluted in medium D containing the compound of example 1 and incubated with cells for 4-6 hr or overnight. After removal of virus inoculum, fresh media containing 1 uM of the compound of example 1 was added and cells were incubated for 14 days with a medium change every 2 days. Culture media were analyzed for secreted viral antigens (HBsAg, HBeAg) and HBV DNA. See FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6.

Taken together, the data shows that using the compounds of formula I as endogenous signals provides a rapid, efficient, nongenetic and cost-effective means to modulate iCell Hepatocyte functionality. The generation of iCell Hepatocytes infected with HBV using the compounds of formula I provides a method for basic virology and drug discovery. Small molecule library screens for the functional improvement of stem cell derived cells may lead to a new generation of in vitro assays for drug discovery.

Claims

The invention claimed is:

1. A method for differentiating stem cells into hepatocytes comprising administering to said stem cells a compound of formula I:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof; wherein R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹, and R¹⁰are independently hydrogen or halogen; and R¹¹is hydrogen or hydroxy.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the hepatocytes are infected with Hepatitis B virus.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the infected hepatocytes are used to screen compounds to treat Hepatitis B virus.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein interferon-stimulated genes are down regulated in differentiated hepatocytes.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein said hepatocytes are infected with Hepatitis B virus.

6. A method according to claim 2, wherein the Hepatitis B virus is a patient-derived Hepatitis B virus and not a cell culture-derive Hepatitis B virus.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the cells are infected with a substantially pure population of Dane particles.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein said compound is 2-[4-((S)-2-hydroxy-2-phenyl-ethylamino)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-pyridin-3-yl]-3H-benzoimidazole-4-carboxylic acid 3-fluoro-benzylamide.